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Virgin Hotels becomes more integrated into Virgin Red

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We have been impressed by the two Virgin Hotels properties we have tried out so far. We were expecting a ‘W’ clone, but Virgin Hotels Edinburgh (review here) and Virgin Hotels New York City (review here) surprised us with their style and class.

We look forward to seeing what Virgin Hotels Glasgow has to offer, with the first guests due on 21st August. Image below.

Earning Virgin Points from Virgin Hotels has been a bit messy but the system has now become more streamlined.

To earn Virgin Points at Virgin Hotels, you must now register for their ‘The Know’ membership scheme (free) and – this is new – add your Virgin Red number to your profile. Your points will be automatically sent over after each stay.

You will now earn Virgin Points at the following rates:

  • 5 points per $1 at US hotels
  • 7 points per £1 at UK hotels

You only earn points on your room rate. Food and beverage spending does not earn.

This arrangement replaces the current flat rate of 2,000 Virgin Points per stay. Given the rates charged at Virgin Hotels, very few people will be worse off.

Of course, being Virgin Hotels, they are not making it that easy. Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is not participating although Virgin Hotels Glasgow is.

If you are booking Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, you also have the option of booking it via the Hilton website as it is, weirdly, also part of Hilton’s Curio Collection brand. You would receive Hilton Honors points and elite benefits instead.

The other hotels can also be booked via Preferred Hotels if you want to earn benefits in their iPrefer scheme.

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (December 2024)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is increased to 30,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 30,000 Virgin Points. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 14th January 2025, the sign-up bonus on The Platinum Card from American Express is increased to 80,000 Membership Rewards points. This converts into 80,000 Virgin Points! The spend requirement is changed to £10,000 in six months for this offer. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Huge 80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points. 

(Want to earn more Virgin Points?  Click here to see our recent articles on Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club and click here for our home page with the latest news on earning and spending other airline and hotel points.)

Category

Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club

Comments (11)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Paul says:
    2 Aug2 August 07:43

    In other words no discount for vast majority of tickets! You really should not be allowed to advertise a discount unless it applies to everything that business sells. It does stop offers being made that are targeted. It’s the same is stores that advertise 75% off on 10 foot high window displays and you find a single rack of sale clothing buried in the back of the store

  • Paul says:
    2 Aug2 August 07:56

    A dummy booking for Virgin Glasgow on 30th August gives a rate of £280 a night.
    I love my home city and always delighted when another good place to stay pops up!
    But this pricing is wildly optimistic. Firstly location is not great. That area of the city is not the best connected. But it’s almost twice as expensive as any Hilton and many IHG hotels on the same night. It’s on a par with the Kimpton which is better located and in a far more accessible and frankly prettier part of the city.
    I am a big fan of the Glasgow Hilton which was recently refurbished, has one of the best breakfasts of any U.K. hotel (haggis and whiskey) and really friendly staff. During Covid I stayed and they were brilliant.

    • AlanC says:
      2 Aug2 August 14:32

      Glasgow Hilton refurb nice. Not so good is the Lounge starting at 5pm to 7pm and the Tenner to use the pool.

      • Paul says:
        2 Aug2 August 23:49

        I haven’t used the pool for a while as it’s always full of kids. But yes the price is mad. The lounge was ok but the opening hours are not great!

  • ClubSmed says:
    2 Aug2 August 09:03

    Just tried the Heathrow Express site and got the alert:
    “Promotion SUMMER has expired”

  • Harry says:
    2 Aug2 August 09:36

    Heathrow Express offer works for me. Just the fully flex tickets as noted not the cheap online advanced tickets.

  • Lewis says:
    2 Aug2 August 10:52

    So this is only £27 for a business class ticket and fasttrack security included?

    • Rob says:
      2 Aug2 August 11:45

      Do you still get Fast Track? Can’t remember. Heathrow no longer sells Fast Track directly to the public.

  • Mike says:
    2 Aug2 August 20:42

    Some Virgin Hotels are part of The Hotel Collection from Amex as well, giving $100 credit and upgrades, though not always the best value.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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